Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. (Contributor/Getty Images)
Slovakia has passed a constitutional amendment that bans gay adoption and recognises only two sexes.
The central European country’s government passed the amendment on Friday (26 September) to define sex as binary, and outlaw surrogacy as well as gay adoption. It also sought to assert the EU member state’s “national sovereignty in cultural and ethical matters”.
Prime minister Robert Fico promoted the amendment as part of his bid to oppose liberal ideology which, he claimed, was “spreading like cancer”, LGBTQ Nation reported. “This isn’t a little dam or just a regular dam,” he said, “this is a great dam against progressivism.”
The amendment required a three-fifths majority in the 150-seat National Council to pass into law and there had been doubts that Fico had the necessary votes. However, 12 opposition council members joined the PM’s 78 supporters to win the day.
‘Draconian measures’
In June, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights urged the Slovak Republic to reconsider amendments to the constitution.
Michael O’Flaherty said the law not only risked “denying the realities of trans and intersex people,” but could be used to “justify an act or omission which is in breach of international law”, adding: “It is crucial that parliamentarians take such concerns, including as expressed by domestic independent bodies, fully on board and ensure that there is no diminution of rights for any group in society.”
In April, Amnesty International said the “draconian measures” risked “crushing the rights of LGBTQ+ people” and were a step backwards for gender equality.
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